Dr. Vitale is a New York Pediatric Spine Surgeon specializing in spine surgery as well as non-operative treatment of complex pediatric scoliosis and other spinal disorders. He has a special interest in the treatment of patients with Early Onset Scoliosis. As a leader spine surgeon, he has pioneered numerous innovative surgical techniques, and has developed spinal instrumentation systems to improve the care of children with scoliosis.

Dr. Vitale received his Masters of Public Health from Columbia University Joseph Mailman School of Public Health. He received his Doctor of Medicine from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, which was followed by a residency in Orthopaedic Surgery at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center and a one year fellowship at the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles in University of Southern California.

Leader New York Pediatric Spine Surgeon

Dr. Vitale serves as the director of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Research Group, and has over 100 peer reviewed research publications in the field of pediatric orthopaedics, including a number of efforts leading national guidelines aimed at improving quality and safety of pediatric spine surgery.

He has received numerous national awards from the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America including the Arthur H. Huene Memorial Award, the Angela M Kuo Award Young Investigator Award, the Robert Hensinger Scientific Paper Award, as well as the Hansjorg Wyss Research Award, the Frank Stinchfield Research Award, the Rosamond Kane Award in Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery, and the Harrison Mclaughin Award.

Dr. Vitale also serves numerous roles in the national governance of the field—currently serving on the Board of Directors of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America, chairing the International Pediatric Orthopaedic Society, leading the efforts of the Scoliosis Research Society on Advocacy for Unmet Needs of Children for Pediatric Medical Devices, serving on the Executive Committee of the Children’s Spine Study Group, and is a Member of the International Pediatric Orthopaedic Think Tank.

Dr. Michael G. Vitale with his patient, Samantha B.

Dr. Vitale is the recipient of the Castle Connolly’s Top Doctorsaward for 5 consecutive years and has been named to 50 Physicians in the US in the area of Scoliosis Care by Becker’s Spine Review.

Most recently, Dr. Vitale has developed a career interest in the area of Quality Improvement, leading the research arm of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America’s Committee on Quality, Safety, and Value, serving as the Medical Director of New York Presbyterian’s Initiative to Make Care Better, and serving as the Chief Quality Officer of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Columbia University Medical Center.

Dr. Vitale is an avid skier, marathon runner, and recreational triathlete. Most of all, he enjoys spending time with his wife and four sons.

Starla was diagnosed with scoliosis at age 5. She is very active. In these photos she shares with us her success in Tae Kwon Do and a calendar which featured her amazing artwork on the cover. She has been in …MORE >